Learn More: Geographic Units

A Region is a Geographic Unit established by the MGA Board as an operating organizational unit of IEEE to help manage the activities of IEEE Sections to ensure that IEEE members are engaged in IEEE activities on the local level.  All IEEE members are part of an IEEE Region.  The boundaries of the Regions are specified in each Region’s Bylaws, but in general:
 

Established by the IEEE MGA Board, a Section consists of at least 50 IEEE members within a specific geographic area.  As of 31 December 2008, 329 IEEE Sections had been formed.  A Section serves a vital role within IEEE by serving as the local IEEE presence for IEEE members.  An IEEE Section serves the public by promoting the IEEE mission (Fostering Technological Innovation and Excellence for the benefit of humanity).  The Section also serves the members by conducting activities which promote the MGA Mission (Inspire, Enable, Empower and Engage Members of IEEE).  A Section contributes to the professional growth and development of their members by establishing professional and social networks.  Through these activities, the Section and the member can form a collaborative relationship in which both the member and IEEE benefit.

An IEEE Technical Chapter is the local unit of an IEEE Technical Society or an IEEE Technical Council formed by a Region, one or more Sections, or a Geographic Council.  The purpose in forming a Technical Chapter within a Geographic Unit is to meet the technical needs of the members within the geographic boundaries of the Section(s).  Technical Chapters provide a valuable opportunity for local members to network with their peers and enable them to improve their personal and professional growth. 

IEEE Technical Society Chapters conduct activities within the scope of the technical field of interest of the sponsoring Society/Societies.  IEEE Technical Council Chapters shall conduct activities within the technical field of interest of the Technical Council. 

Technical Chapters are formed via petition from the Section Executive Committee to the appropriate Region Director and Society President(s). 

A Chapter shall be required to maintain a membership of not fewer than ten (10) members, other than Students, and to hold not less than two technical meetings per year, or to maintain a level of activity acceptable to the Regional Director and the Society President(s).  Typical Chapter activities include guest speakers, workshops and seminars, as well as social functions.

Information on the following Chapter operations is noted in the MGA Operations Manual - Section 9.6:

• Chapter Formation, Probation and Dissolution Process;
• Chapter Management, Officer Structure, and Election Process;
• Financial Management of Chapter Funds;
• Joint Chapter Requirements.

An IEEE Affinity Group is a non-technical unit of an IEEE Organizational Unit formed by a Region, one or more Sections, or a Geographic Council.  The purpose in forming an Affinity Group within a Geographic Unit is to meet the needs of the members of similar interest who are concerned with fulfilling the mission of IEEE.  Affinity Groups provide a valuable opportunity for local members to network with their peers and enable them to improve their personal and professional growth. 

The following groups have been acknowledged by the MGA Board as parent organizational units as defined above and described in their charters:

• Consultants Network;
• Graduates of the Last Decade Committee;
• IEEE Life Members Committee;
• Women in Engineering Committee.

An Affinity Group shall be required to maintain a membership of not fewer than six (6) members and to hold not less than two group-interest meetings per year, or to maintain a level of activity acceptable to the Section/Council Chair(s) and Region Director.

Information on the following Affinity Groups operations is noted in the MGA Operations Manual - Section 9.9:

• Formation, Probation, and Dissolution Process;
• Management, Officer Structure, and Election Process;
• Financial Management of Funds;
• Joint Groups Requirements.

A Student Branch gives students the opportunity to meet and learn from fellow students, as well as faculty members and professionals in the field.  An active IEEE Student Branch can be one of the most positive elements in a department, offering programs in IEEE designated fields of Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, and similarly related fields of interest.  IEEE Student Branches have been established at over 1,500 universities and colleges throughout the world.  Student Branch activities offer numerous educational, technical, and professional advantages of IEEE membership through special projects, activities, meetings, tours, and field trips. 

Establishing an IEEE Student Branch requires the signatures of 12 IEEE Student members on a petition.  The petition must specify the name of the Branch and the names of the Interim Student Chair and faculty member who will serve as Counselor of the Branch.  The petition must also be approved by the Department Chair and two faculty members, who are also IEEE members above Student grade.  Submit the petition to IEEE MGA Administration to begin the approval process, which includes verification of the IEEE membership of the students and the faculty members on the petition, review of the programs offered at the educational institution, and review and approval by the IEEE Regional Director and the Regional Student Activities Committee Chair.

Geographic Unit Organization Chart (PDF, 27 KB)

As of 31 December 2008, IEEE had over 4,500 Geographic Units (Regions, Sections, Geographic Councils, Technical Chapters, Affinity Groups, Student Branches, Student Branch Chapters, Student Branch Affinity Groups).  The organization structure of these units is noted as follows:

• Regions oversee Sections;
• Sections oversee Subsections, Chapters, Student Branches, and Affinity Groups;
• Geographic Councils are comprised of Sections, and exist at the pleasure of the member Sections;
• some Geographic Councils (but not all) have Chapters and Affinity Groups, and therefore oversee them;
• Affinity Group Parents also oversee Affinity Groups.  The following have been recognized as parent organization of an Affinity Group:
  • Women In Engineering (WIE) Committee;
  • Consultants’ Networks;
  • MGA Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Committee;
  • IEEE Life Members Committee.
• Student Branches oversee Student Branch Chapters;
• Technical Societies also oversee Chapters and Student Branch Chapters.